Wild night for storm-battered cruise ship captured on social media

Caught in waves of more than 30 feet and hurricane-level winds, one of the all-time largest cruise ships suffered some damage. Royal Caribbean says Anthem of the Seas remains sound, as rattled travelers shared their tense experience on social media.

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas – the third-largest cruise ship ever – "experienced extreme wind and sea conditions," Sunday evening, as it traveled near Cape Hatteras off the North Carolina coast, said company spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez. The cruise ship departed from the New York area and was on its way to Port Canaveral, Florida.

The force of the storm, with winds of more than 70 miles (112 km) per hour, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, compelled the ship's captain to command all 4,529 passengers and 1,616 crew to remain in their cabins.

"The captain told everyone this morning that the day was among his most challenging – if not his most challenging – at sea," Huschka said, adding that the damage on the ship included "lots of broken glass, especially on the pool deck."

The weather improved as the evening advanced, and the ship resumed its path to Port Canaveral after holding its position during the worst of the storm.

Some are now questioning claims made by Royal Caribbean that the bad weather was unforeseen.